It was all grins in Davao City on Monday morning, as voters lined up to cast ballots for the new President of the Philippines, confident that their pugnacious mayor, Rodrigo Duterte, would romp home after building a commanding lead in latest polls. “I’ve been impressed with how he runs this city and I think it will be the same for the country if he becomes president,” says first time voter Efren Pajente, 21, a retail assistant who moved to Davao three years ago. Polling stations were crowded from 6am, as local people turned up early to avoid the blistering midday heat, though the previous week’s record temperatures — nudging 55.8°C in some parts — were at least matched by the fiery exchanges that brought campaigning to a scorching climax. Five candidates are vying to replace outgoing President Benigno Aquino III, who is ineligible for election after a serving a single six-year term.